Gavin, 11 November 05
It has been suggested that the UK government’s defeat over the recent terrorism proposals may mark a turning point for the Labour Party program in parliament. The previous record of the party back benchers and the extreme stance of the leadership in refusing realistic compromise in what has been considered by many a fundamental issue of civil liberties mean that this episode cannot really be seen as an indicator of future rebellion.
There was something ominous in the final position adopted by Blair before the vote.
Sometimes it is better to lose and do the right thing than to win and do the wrong thing.
This posturing was convenient and would allow the government to claim, should there be further terror attacks in the UK, that had these measures been enacted things would be different.
No valid reason for needing a ninety day extension to the period suspects can be held without charge was offered. The leadership made great play of the fact that they were following advice of the police – who in turn raised issues including the time needing to obtain encrypted computer data.
Police concerns have been shown as weak with all evidence pointing to continued use of more traditional coding methods for passing information such as use of key phrases rather than computer encryption. Additionally it is an offence under the RIPA for suspects to withold ciphers – this in itself would be sufficient for charges to be brought and detention to be continued under existing law.
The police, of course, will press for extensions of their powers and have not hesitated in the past to use any powers granted outside of the scope in which it was envisioned that they would be used. The government finds it particularly convenient to go along with the police wishes – citing them as the experts on this issue:
MPs should take “extremely seriously” the professional judgement of the police and the prosecutors who are calling for the 90-day plan
I wonder if this policy of listening to professional judgement will be still in effect when the government announces health and schools plans in the new year or will healthcare and education professionals be dismissed in the usual way.
